Lottery may get fresh look from Mississippi lawmakers

The chairman of the House Gaming Committee said he will hold an initial fact-finding committee hearing sometime within the next three or four weeks to look at proposals for a state lottery in Mississippi.

Rep. Richard Bennett, a Republican from Long Beach, told The Clarion-Ledger that many people have asked about a lottery and some legislators put in bills for it every year.

Forty-three states have lotteries, including all but one -- Alabama -- that border on Mississippi.

Supporters said a lottery would help shore the state budget -- and could be earmarked for education -- and keep Mississippians from spending lottery dollars in neighboring states.

Bennett said he has the Mississippi Gaming Commission and a casinos' association gathering information for lawmakers.

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